Wellness Policy:
Purpose:
The link between nutrition, physical activity, and learning is well documented. Healthy eating and activity patterns are essential for students to achieve their full academic potential, full physical and mental growth, and lifelong health and well-being. Healthy eating and physical activity, essential for a healthy weight, are also linked to reduced risk for many chronic diseases. Schools have a responsibility to help students learn, establish, and maintain lifelong healthy eating and activity patterns. Well-planned and effectively implemented school nutrition and fitness programs have been shown to enhance students’ overall health, as well as their behavior and academic achievement in school. Staff wellness also is an integral part of a healthy school environment since school staff
can be daily role models for healthy behaviors.
Overall Goal:
All students in South Coffeyville School District shall possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious food choices and enjoyable physical activity choices for a lifetime. All staff in South Coffeyville School District are encouraged to model healthful eating and physical activity as a valuable part of daily life.
To meet this goal, the South Coffeyville School District adopts this school wellness policy with the following commitments to nutrition, nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that support student and staff wellness.
Nutrition Guidelines/Standards
School Meals:
Policy Statements:
• Per USDA Regulations §210.10 and §220.8, school lunches and breakfasts will meet menu planning system guidelines as required by USDA.
• Per USDA Regulation §210.10, school lunches will provide 1/3 of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for calories, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C as required by USDA.
• Per USDA Regulation §220.8, school breakfasts will provide 1/4 of the RDA for calories, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C as required by USDA.
• Per USDA Regulations §210.10 and §220.8, the total calories from fat in school meals will be limited to 30 percent when averaged over one week.
• Per USDA Regulations §210.10 and §220.8, the total calories from saturated fat in school meals will be less than 10 percent when averaged over one week.
• Per USDA Regulations §210.10 and §220.8, school meals will meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Qualifying after-school programs will participate in USDA’s After-School Snack Program.
Qualifying school sites will participate in USDA_s Summer Food Service Program.
In addition to following USDA menu-planning system guidelines, school lunch menus will be planned according to the silver or gold criteria specified in the HealthierUS School Challenge.
Healthy food preparation techniques will be implemented. Food items will not be fried.
Deep-fat fried potato products served as part of a reimbursable meal or as an á la carte item will not exceed three ounces per serving, may not be offered more than once a week, and students may only purchase one serving at a time.
Fruits and/or vegetables will be offered daily at all points of service. Fruits and vegetables should be fresh whenever possible. Frozen and canned fruits should be packed in natural juice, water, or light syrup.
Schools serving chips must use reduced-fat or baked varieties, rather than the traditional varieties, whenever possible.
Beverages such as tea, lemonade, and fruit drinks containing less than 50 percent fruit juice will not be offered to students.
The most nutritious food items offered will be placed on the serving line(s) first to encourage students to make healthier selections.
Students will be offered a variety of skim and lowfat milk, meat and beans, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains on a daily basis.
A nutrient analysis of school meals offered to students will be made available upon request.
School staff will support and encourage student participation in the USDA school meals programs.
School sites will be encouraged to participate in Farm-to-School by purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers when available.
Other Food Items Sold on School Campuses:
• Per USDA Regulation §210, Appendix B, foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) are prohibited from being sold or served during student meal services in the food service area where USDA reimbursable meals are served or eaten.
• Per the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, beverage contracts will not restrict the sale of fluid milk products at any time during the school day or at any place on the school premises.
• Per Oklahoma Senate Bill 265 (effective school year 2007-2008), students in elementary schools will not have access to FMNV except on special occasions.
• Per Oklahoma Senate Bill 265 (effective school year 2007-2008), students in middle and junior high schools will not have access to FMNV except after school, at events that take place in the evening, and on special occasions.
• Per Oklahoma Senate Bill 265 (effective school year 2007-2008), diet soda, an FMNV, will be available for sale at the junior high only in vending areas outside of the cafeteria.
• Per Oklahoma Senate Bill 265 (effective school year 2007-2008), healthy food options will be provided at the high school and priced lower than FMNV in order to encourage students and staff to make healthier food choices.
Fried food items will not be available for sale as á la carte food items.
Nutrient-rich food items will be available for sale at all places where food and beverages are sold on school campuses. This includes the cafeteria, vending machines, school stores, and concession stands. The district will follow the recommended food items specified in Healthy Snack Choices provided by the OSDE.
Snack food items available for sale will contain less than 30 percent or 7 grams of fat per single serving as stated on the Nutrition Facts label (exception: nut and seed mixes).
Snack food items available for sale will contain less than 10 percent or 2 grams of saturated fat per single serving as stated on the Nutrition Facts label.
Snack food items available for sale will contain no more than 35 percent sugar by weight or 15 grams per single serving as stated on the Nutrition Facts label (exceptions are fresh and dried fruits).
Snack food items available for sale will contain less than 480 milligrams of sodium per single serving as stated on the Nutrition Facts label.
High energy drinks with elevated levels of caffeine will not be available for sale anywhere on school campus.
Nutrition Education/Promotion
Policy Statements:
• Per USDA Regulations §210.12 and §227, nutrition education is offered in the school cafeteria as well as the classroom.
• Per Oklahoma Senate Bill 1627, the Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee at each school site will study and make recommendations regarding health education, nutrition, and health services.
MyPlate nutrition education resources will be used in the cafeteria and classroom.
The Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom curriculum will be implemented in Grades PK-6.
School staff will promote healthful eating and healthy lifestyles to students and parents
as part of not only health education classes, but also classroom instruction in subjects such as math, science, language arts, social sciences, and elective subjects.
All schools will apply with USDA to participate as a Team Nutrition school. Each school will conduct nutrition education activities and promotions that involve students, parents, and the community <www.teamnutrition.usda.gov/team.html>.
Students, parents, and the school staff will participate in an annual school health fair.
Family/parent nutrition education opportunities will be provided.
Advertising and other materials that promote FMNV will be eliminated on all school campuses.
Students will receive consistent nutritional messages throughout the school, classroom, cafeteria, and school events.
The Power of Choice nutrition education curriculum will be implemented in the after-school program.
Age appropriate USDA Team Nutrition resources will be utilized to teach nutrition education to students.
School staff will work with local county extension educators and others to provide links with school meal programs, other school foods, and nutrition-related community services
to incorporate nutrition education activities in school.
Promotion of fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, healthy food preparation methods, and health-enhancing nutrition practices will be included that emphasize caloric balance between food intake and energy expenditure (physical activity/exercise).
Physical Activity
Policy Statements:
• Per Oklahoma Senate Bill 1627, the Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee at each school site will study and make recommendations regarding physical education and physical activity.
• Per Oklahoma Senate Bill 312 (effective school year 2006-2007), students in Grades K through 5 will participate in 60 minutes of physical activity each week.
As per Senate Bill 1186 (effective school year 2008-2009), students in full-day Kindergarten and Grades one through five will be provided an additional 60 minutes of physical activity each week, which may include but not be limited to, physical education, exercise programs, fitness breaks, recess, classroom activities, and wellness and nutrition education.
As per Senate Bill 1876 (effective November 1, 2010), a sequential, developmentally appropriate physical education curriculum will be implemented and requires that at least 50% of physical education activities be performed at a moderate or vigorous level.
As per Statute 70-11-103.9 (2007) requires school districts to provide to parents or guardians of students a physical activity report. It must include the following: (1.) A summary on how physical activity is being incorporated into the school day; (2.) A summary of the types of physical activities the students are exposed to in the physical education programs; (3.) Suggestions on monitoring the physical activity progress of a child and how to encourage regular participation in physical activity; and (4.) Information on the benefits of physical education and physical activity." See sample physical activity letter below. It addresses the requirements.
1. Physical activity is incorporated into the school day with students participating in physical education classes, recess, and athletics.
2. The types of physical activities students are exposed to in the physical education program align with the Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills. At each grade level, students are guided through concepts that relate to health and safety literacy, i.e. health promotion, disease prevention, and safety practices. They learn health-enhancing behaviors and how to reduce health risks. Students are then advocates for health and safety for themselves, their families and the community. At each grade level, students demonstrate competency in many movement forms. They apply movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor and lifetime activity skills (ex. throwing, catching, jumping rope, creative and rhythmic movements, individual and team sports, dance, outdoor activities, etc.). Students participate in numerous varieties of physical activities to master the movement concepts and principles. The benefits of keeping physical active are promoted. They develop personal and social behavioral skills for physical activity settings (ex. cooperation, respect, sensitivity, application of rules, etc.).
3. Parents are a child’s most important role model. Encourage your child to participate in physical activities, but also make time to join or take part with your child in physical activities. Take a walk, ride bikes, play catch, hide and seek, etc. Share the activities you enjoy with your child. Limit time on phones, computers, and television in favor of activities that get them and you up and moving.
4. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of many adverse health outcomes. Oklahoma ranks 6th (31%) in the nation in obesity rates for adults; 18th (29%) for children. Oklahoma leads much of the nation with deaths due to heart disease and strokes. Diabetes and respiratory diseases (from smoking) are chronic in our state.
Some physical activity is better than none. Physical activity reduces stress, improves mood and increases energy. Most adult health benefits occur with at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate intensity physical activity. Aerobic (endurance) and muscle-strengthening (resistance) physical activity are both beneficial. Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more daily.
Students will participate in an annual health-related fitness test (e.g., Fitness Gram, President’s Challenge to Physical Fitness, etc.).
School sites will establish or enhance physical activity opportunities for students, staff, and parents (fitness challenges, family fitness nights, fun walks and runs, bike events).
Elementary school sites will provide 20 minutes of daily recess that promotes physical activity beyond what is provided through physical education classes.
Active transportation to and from school will be encouraged by assessing safest routes for students to walk or bike to school and by installing bike racks at school buildings.
Students will be encouraged to participate in voluntary before- and after-school physical activity programs such as intramurals, clubs, and, at the secondary level, interscholastic athletics.
Students and school staff will collaborate with local recreational departments and youth fitness programs to promote participation in lifelong physical activities.
Students will not be denied participation in recess or other physical activity as a form of discipline.
Recess or other physical activity time will not be canceled for instructional make-up time.
Staff will serve as physical activity role models for students.
All playgrounds will meet the recommended safety standards for design, installation, and maintenance.
School sites will provide adequate equipment (e.g., balls, rackets, and other manipulative) for every student to be active.
School Based Activities
Policy Statements:
• Per Oklahoma Senate Bill 1627, each school site will establish a Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee that meets and makes recommendations to the school principal. The school principal shall give consideration to recommendations made by the Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee.
• Per the school district’s Child Nutrition Programs Agreement, school meals may not be used as a reward or punishment.
• Per USDA Regulations §210.12 and §227, students and parents will be involved in the NSLP. Parent and student involvement will include menu-planning suggestions, cafeteria enhancement, program promotion, and other related student-community support activities.
Students will be provided with a clean, safe, enjoyable meal environment.
Students will be provided with an adequate amount of time to eat breakfast and lunch. A minimum of 15 minutes will be provided at breakfast and 20 minutes at lunch (after students receive their trays).